China plans to expand visa-free scheme

China may expand its 72-hour visa-free policy for foreigners in a bid to boost the country's tourism.

Chinese authorities are mulling over measures to expedite visa processing and will gradually optimize visa-free policies for international transit passengers. The policy is already in place for foreign visitors to cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, Guilin and Xi'an.

China hopes expanding the program will help bolster tourism to and from Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Africa.